ROSEMARY MORGAN HOOPER

Mrs. Rosemary Morgan Hooper, age 80, of Donalsonville, GA passed away Thursday morning, March 25, 2021, at her home. Rosemary is survived by her grandson, Jon Albert West (Sara) and great granddaughter Aura Grace West of Atlanta, GA; and, numerous nieces and nephews across several states who brought her great happiness and many laughs. She was preceded in death by her father, Daniel Thomas Evans of Pittsburgh, PA; her step-father Eugene Harry Morgan of Miami, FL, and her mother Valeria Willis Evans Morgan, of Miami and Waynesville, NC; her husband, Vaughn Hooper of Donalsonville, GA; her sisters, Sue Ann Morgan and Patty Lou Morgan Knapik, both of Waynesville; and her two sons, Scott Lee Hooper and Todd Michael Hooper, both of Donalsonville. Rosemary was born on September 13, 1940 in Pittsburgh, PA. Very early in her life, Rosemary’s mother and step-father moved their young family to Miami, Florida where Rosemary attended school and became a precocious young lady. While growing up in Miami, Rosemary and her sisters created their own small dancing troupe. Excelling in tap, the Morgan Trio appeared frequently on local television in South Florida. As a young woman in 1959, Rosemary chose to serve her county and enlisted into the U.S. Navy W.A.V.E.S. (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service). While stationed in Philadelphia as a personnel clerk, she caught the eye of a tall, skinny, young sailor. Upon seeing Rosemary, Vaughn Hooper announced to his friend, “I’m going to marry that girl.” It wasn’t until the two took a few spins around the dancefloor that Rosemary was convinced. The two married quickly and got to work building their family. Rosemary was given an honorable discharge and the twosome became foursome. Rosemary spent her early married years caring for her small children while Vaughn continued on active duty through much of the Vietnam War. Once Vaughn completed his naval career, the pair moved their small family to Waynesville, N.C. to be closer to Rosemary’s sisters. Taking advantage of the G.I. Bill, Rosemary and Vaughn earned business degrees and raised their boys in the company of their extended family. Rosemary reveled in these years in the mountains, watching Scott and Todd grow, and making lifelong friends who never left her heart over the following decades. In 1976, Rosemary and Vaughn received a call from their old Navy buddy, Lewis Carter, Jr., to come to Donalsonville to help with the family’s manufacturing company, LMC. Rosemary worked at LMC into the 1990’s, helping the Carters build the company into one of the world’s most successful producers of peanut processing machinery. She was very proud of the work she did during those years and cherished the many relationships she built. Rosemary and Vaughn raised their boys into men and finished their careers in Donalsonville. Southwest Georgia’s proximity to Florida fostered a passion for Panama City Beach and Walt Disney World. On countless summer weekends during ‘80’s and ‘90’s you could have found them listening to the bands at PCB and dancing the nights away. When they weren’t at the beach, they were probably at “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Rosemary was rarely happier than when she was surrounded by the smiles of friends, family, and even strangers at Disney. The Hoopers traveled there 108 times and were among the first purchasers into the Disney Vacation Club. On their 100th visit to the Orlando theme parks, they were the grand marshals of the Main Street Parade. To most people who knew The Hoopers, Rosemary seemed the demure, quiet, doting wife and mother. Her family and closest friends knew better, though. We’ll forever remember the biting wit and little grin that she typically only shared in private, the arch in her brow that wordlessly told you she was displeased, and the glow on her face when she talked about the people who were special to her (there were so many). She always thought she was a little cry-baby—but, her fierce love for her family disproved that over and again. Close friends and family will celebrate her reunion with her favorite men at Friendship Memorial Gardens in Donalsonville on Monday, March 29 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Tim Bell officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Evans-Skipper Funeral Home.